Alevel worries (class size)

Hi. Just curious to see the smallest class sizes people are in and in what subjects. What is it like being in very small class sizes. This worries me because im worried that I may end up on my own in a class.Thanks 😀😀😀

Reply 1

TobyReichelt

9

I'm taking English Lit A-level at one of the UTCs and I'm the only one in my class. Don't worry--it's great fun and the free 1-to-1 tuition is helpful.

Reply 2

nverjvlev

16

Obviously there are pros and cons - you get more targeted, personalised teaching however it limits discussions and hearing other student's opinions and ideas can challenge and enrich your own. The more popular a subject, the bigger the class size - the sciences and maths are always popular whereas (in my experience) things like languages are much less so. If it's just you your school may not offer the subject?

Reply 3

Buxtonwater

14

Original post by hw1221

Hi. Just curious to see the smallest class sizes people are in and in what subjects. What is it like being in very small class sizes. This worries me because im worried that I may end up on my own in a class.Thanks 😀😀😀

In my history class there are 5 people, 6 in politics and I have one-to-one tuition in economics, small class sizes are fine.

Reply 4

hw1221

OP

14

Original post by Buxtonwater

In my history class there are 5 people, 6 in politics and I have one-to-one tuition in economics, small class sizes are fine.

I was just worried it would be awkward to try and maintain a conversation with the teacher. Also how are lessons taught 1 to 1? Is it a powerpoint or do you sit with the teacher?

Reply 5

Will98765

8

I have fairly big classes for Economics and Computing(around 16) and about 7 for business studies, I hardly see the difference tbh

Reply 6

username1500433

3

My biggest class is 8, smallest is 4. I have some friends where it is 1 to 1 though.

Reply 7

hw1221

OP

14

Original post by Buxtonwater

In my history class there are 5 people, 6 in politics and I have one-to-one tuition in economics, small class sizes are fine.

What exactly do you do in the lessons and how are they structured? Eg powerpoints Thanks

Reply 8

Asolare

20

Think it's going to depend on you as an individual, personally I prefer smaller classes (my German one = 9 people and it's my favourite class) as it's easier to get close to people and means the entire class don't get distracted so easily as with a big one.

Reply 9

Buxtonwater

14

Original post by hw1221

I was just worried it would be awkward to try and maintain a conversation with the teacher. Also how are lessons taught 1 to 1? Is it a powerpoint or do you sit with the teacher?

Sit with the teacher, usually have the textbook out and we'll learn the course then we'll do lots of essay technique and planning. Maintaining a conversation will be easy because your teacher will be teaching you the course, not sitting there in silence.

Reply 10

Windowswind123

2

For AS Physics, Biology and Chemistry there was 25+ students in each of my classes.
For my further maths class there was 10 - the smaller class made it better because it meant we could progress with the course quicker than we could otherwise. And it allows more personalised help.

Reply 11

CatusStarbright

22

My biggest class is 18 and my smallest is 5. I do quite like a small class size, but sometimes the larger classes are easier to not be called upon often.

Reply 12

jamestg

21

Small classes are great

It is really good preparation for exams and further study as you cannot coast, rely on anyone else and you have to think for yourself while always having an answer. To begin with it will be difficult, but towards the end of the year you'll be better. You also get through things at the correct pace for you, and your learning will be much more focussed.

Reply 13

Changing Skies

22

I was in a class of two for English Lit, it was great :tongue:

Posted from TSR Mobile

Original post by Changing Skies

I was in a class of two for English Lit, it was great :tongue:

Posted from TSR Mobile

lucky

smaller classes > big ones

my smallest class is 7 for PD, my biology class is big tho as they had to merge the classes due to funding :frown:

Reply 15

Big Blue Machine

9

Original post by hw1221

Hi. Just curious to see the smallest class sizes people are in and in what subjects. What is it like being in very small class sizes. This worries me because im worried that I may end up on my own in a class.Thanks 😀😀😀

Being the only one in a class is like the best thing, your relationship with your teacher will be very informal, and it's like free one to one, which will definitely help your grade.

Reply 16

Covington4

19

Smallest class is 7, and biggest class is 13. I would prefer smaller classes but oh well.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 17

Tarte Tatin

8

There are 2 of us in my French class and it's good because we get a lot of individual attention. Also, speaking is less nerve-racking.

Reply 18

IBIB

2

Original post by hw1221

Hi. Just curious to see the smallest class sizes people are in and in what subjects. What is it like being in very small class sizes. This worries me because im worried that I may end up on my own in a class.Thanks 😀😀😀